We were unaware until we spoke with Richard Wolfe that smoked eels were once a popular delicacy in our area. He told us of a time when peddlers would stop into bars in order to sell smoked eels to the clientele. There were also other businessmen in West Sayville who advertised their smoked eels for sale, including Herbert Newhouse in the 1930s and Lou Kroupa (Lou’s Red Anchor Inn) in the 1970s. Although those businesses are long gone, Mr. Wolfe, an Oakdale resident, is continuing the tradition of smoking eels, and is even training his wife in the practice. (1)